In Africa discovered hundreds of unknown tracks of ancient people

13.10.2016

More than 400 well preserved footprints discovered in Northern Tanzania, American anthropologist from Appalachian state University. According to experts, traces of, found near the volcano Oldoinyo-Lengai at lake Natron, were left by ancient people 5 000 — 19 000 years ago.

photo: pixabay.com

The researchers said that until now, nowhere in Africa, experts were not able to find a number of traces of Homo sapiens at a time, so the finding may be considered unique. The footprints were left in mud and preserved thanks to the high content of volcanic ash.

Platform on which were found traces, the size was comparable to a tennis court. As expected, all the footprints belong to a group, comprising around 12 people, mostly women and children. In all likelihood, they didn’t walk at a normal pace, and ran at medium speed. Specialists also noticed that the big toe of one of these people had a slightly strange shape — most likely, it was broken.Experts say that about how moved people are told not only the prints of their feet, and lumps of earth that feet fell during each step, and then frozen and also preserved to the present day.

The volcano Oldoinyo-Lengai, near which showed traces consists of hardened layers of lava, tephra and volcanic ash. This is one of the youngest and possibly the most active volcano in East Africa. The language of the local Maasai tribe the name oz means means “divine mountain”, and experts suggest that since ancient times the neighborhood could be considered a sacred place.

Scientists hope that the study of ancient tracks will provide additional information about the origin of modern humans and the early stages of human existence.